View Full Version : moving to Florida ....still (well trying anyway)
andybliss
13-04-2004, 03:02
Hi there all,
Ok, I can see that the question has been asked a few times but my family and i are looking to move to the orlando area from the uk asap, we are tired and fed up with uk life and need to get ourselves to 'the land of the free'
I am a 39 year old retail manager with tons of retail and direct sales experience, my wife is 36 and my kids are 3 and 11, looking thru the imigration details it looks like my only hope of entry is via sponsership from a us company but what i do can't really be considered as rocket science and could certainly be done by countless americans so where does that leave me ?
Any help would be truly apreciated even if it is 'dont do it' lol
Thanks in advance for your help and advise
Andy.
Ray&Sarah
13-04-2004, 03:07
Andy,
Welcome to the forum firstly. Secondly, like you we would love to change our life here in the UK for one in the US. But from reading the threads on this site, it would appear that your best chance is to find a International company with outlets in Orlando, and get them to sponsor you (and they can only sponsor you if they can prove that there are no americans with the same skill set). Check out the previous threads on the forum, by using the search facilty at the top of the page. Good luck.
chrizzy100
13-04-2004, 03:40
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by andybliss
Hi there all,
Ok, I can see that the question has been asked a few times but my family and i are looking to move to the orlando area from the uk asap, we are tired and fed up with uk life and need to get ourselves to "the land of the free"
I am a 39 year old retail manager with tons of retail and direct sales experience, my wife is 36 and my kids are 3 and 11, looking thru the imigration details it looks like my only hope of entry is via sponsership from a us company but what i do can't really be considered as rocket science and could certainly be done by countless americans so where does that leave me ?
Any help would be truly apreciated even if it is "dont do it" lol
Thanks in advance for your help and advise
Andy.
[/quote]
Hi trying to get a sponser for retail...well you'll need a degree .....or 12 years in your field of work doing the same job.....thats not all the steps getting to be say a test eng...like my hubby is...but thats 12 full years of being a full test eng....I never say never......because someone told us we would never get here...but I'll not give you tons of hope......
andybliss
13-04-2004, 03:51
Thanks for the speedy replys, keep em coming !
I have 20 plus years in retail with at least 12 as manager, will that do? is that enough to get me in ? i have heard that florida is crying out for nurses, and that it's a sure fire way in, is this true? i would be willing to retrain as this is somthing i really want.
chrizzy100
13-04-2004, 04:43
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by andybliss
Thanks for the speedy replys, keep em coming !
I have 20 plus years in retail with at least 12 as manager, will that do? is that enough to get me in ? i have heard that florida is crying out for nurses, and that it's a sure fire way in, is this true? i would be willing to retrain as this is somthing i really want.
[/quote]
You would need to find a retail company that could not find an Amercian to do the job.....and thats where it get hard....because America has a lot of people out of work right now......
Taking up general nursing would be something worth looking at....look online for any info.......I think there are a few people doing that that read this forum.....so its been talking about.....do a search......
andybliss
13-04-2004, 05:19
Thanks chrizzy, will look into that, but for now, time for bed, cant wait to see what ppl have added to this thread 2morrow, you all have a great afternoon/evening and i'll be back 2morrow[|)]
It would be very heard to get labor cetification for a retail manager. It is really for specialist workers, need by the US because there are no Americans to do the job. Nursing is a long haul, a degree then a one year convesrion course, You could buy a business here in E2 but that affects your kids and never leads to green card. If I had my time over. I would do what I am advising you to do - set up a businesss ( shop?? franchise??) in the UK with employees, trade for a year, put a manager in to oversee trading in the UL for at least another year and transfer yourself out to open a shop/franchise or whatever here. That is an L1 visa which leads to green card.
imported_n/a
13-04-2004, 06:10
Isn,t it funny.I'm a Brit living out here with my adorable family with a green card, but would love to give it all up to move us all back to the UK.I really miss the country as a whole including the people.I've decided that no matter what you do it always appears better on the other side just like that joke about the two old Bulls.
ANDYBLISS tHE comment about the land of the free really threw me!!!! i wonder if you would have the same opinion after 5 years here.
woudn't give up the Orlando house though!!!!
andybliss
13-04-2004, 06:18
Sorry GBCHELLE , But how long has it been since you left ?????
not sure you would want to come back too quickly, unless theres family involved.
shame they dont do a swap scheme where we could swap houses and jobs ect !
Andy.
chrizzy100
13-04-2004, 06:45
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by GBCHELLE
Isn,t it funny.I'm a Brit living out here with my adorable family with a green card, but would love to give it all up to move us all back to the UK.I really miss the country as a whole including the people.I've decided that no matter what you do it always appears better on the other side just like that joke about the two old Bulls.
ANDYBLISS tHE comment about the land of the free really threw me!!!! i wonder if you would have the same opinion after 5 years here.
woudn't give up the Orlando house though!!!!
[/quote]
I could not go back ...not even after all the troubles we've had here......my son is an American now.....my daughter wanted to go back to the UK so much...she went to visit for 6 weeks..and cried that she wanted to come home to the USA.....England was not how she remembered it.....and we have only been here 4 years.......the USA is not a bed of roses..its hard work..long hours.....but its a great life for the kids.....so well worth it for us....we had to put up a fight to stay here...and its working out OK for us......I think this is home now...
imported_n/a
13-04-2004, 07:46
[quote]Originally posted by andybliss
Sorry GBCHELLE , But how long has it been since you left ?????
not sure you would want to come back too quickly, unless theres family involved.
shame they dont do a swap scheme where we could swap houses and jobs ect !
Andy.
Hi ANDY
Arrived in the go old USA in 95.Guess i know what your about to say as we try to get back every year.I see the changes and its always different on holiday.Maybe the perfect job would be 6 months winter in florida and the summer on the uk.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by andybliss
Hi there all,
Ok, I can see that the question has been asked a few times but my family and i are looking to move to the orlando area from the uk asap, we are tired and fed up with uk life and need to get ourselves to "the land of the free"
I am a 39 year old retail manager with tons of retail and direct sales experience, my wife is 36 and my kids are 3 and 11, looking thru the imigration details it looks like my only hope of entry is via sponsership from a us company but what i do can't really be considered as rocket science and could certainly be done by countless americans so where does that leave me ?
Any help would be truly apreciated even if it is "dont do it" lol
Thanks in advance for your help and advise
Andy.
[/quote]
Hi Andy
we had the same idea as you so my husband did some research on US companies that had a record of sponsoring Uk citizens.He then applied to several of these companies,got a job,12 months later enquired about a sponsorship and 3 months later with one son and 2 dogs we moved out here.2 years later we received our green cards.The company paid all of our moving expenses plus the fees for the green card.He is trained as an accountant with the appropriate qualifications but has no degree.I never thought anything of this process until coming across this site a few months ago and realizing how hard it is for many people to get into the US if ever at all.I am in NO way saying that any of the advice is incorrect,but I know for a fact that had I read this site first,our big idea would have been knocked on the head in 10 minutes flat and we would probably still be living in sunny old Luton so although I am so grateful I found this site in time for our recent villa purchase in Florida,I am doubly grateful I didn`t come across it a few years back[msneek]
chrizzy100
13-04-2004, 09:35
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Nicjmc
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by andybliss
Hi there all,
Ok, I can see that the question has been asked a few times but my family and i are looking to move to the orlando area from the uk asap, we are tired and fed up with uk life and need to get ourselves to "the land of the free"
I am a 39 year old retail manager with tons of retail and direct sales experience, my wife is 36 and my kids are 3 and 11, looking thru the imigration details it looks like my only hope of entry is via sponsership from a us company but what i do can't really be considered as rocket science and could certainly be done by countless americans so where does that leave me ?
Any help would be truly apreciated even if it is "dont do it" lol
Thanks in advance for your help and advise
Andy.
[/quote]
Hi Andy
we had the same idea as you so my husband did some research on US companies that had a record of sponsoring Uk citizens.He then applied to several of these companies,got a job,12 months later enquired about a sponsorship and 3 months later with one son and 2 dogs we moved out here.2 years later we received our green cards.The company paid all of our moving expenses plus the fees for the green card.He is trained as an accountant with the appropriate qualifications but has no degree.I never thought anything of this process until coming across this site a few months ago and realizing how hard it is for many people to get into the US if ever at all.I am in NO way saying that any of the advice is incorrect,but I know for a fact that had I read this site first,our big idea would have been knocked on the head in 10 minutes flat and we would probably still be living in sunny old Luton so although I am so grateful I found this site in time for our recent villa purchase in Florida,I am doubly grateful I didn`t come across it a few years back[msneek]
[/quote]
I think we all say that sometimes someone gets lucky.....I know we did.....but the sad fact is.....not a lot of people get that lucky...my husband has no degree....and he never got his job offer because he worked for the same company in the UK....we had people telling us for years we'd never get here......if someone real wants to come to the USA....they will try everything before giving up...nothing anyone says to them on this forum will put them off if they really wants to move over.......I spent an hour or so talking to Andy....trying to think of ways to give help and info.....and leads.....he took the time to look me up elsewhere....which to me means his heart and soul is really into this.....I for one will not make it sound like its an easy road......its not.....it would be heartbreaking to people if we made it seem very easy.....and for them to find out the hard way that its not....its best they know its hard ...because I'm sure they will carry on looking if they truly want it bad enough no matter how gray a picture we paint.......[msnsmile][msnsmile]
Chrizzy,I have to disagree.As I said previously,had I read this forum I would have thought it an impossibility to move to the states and therefore would not have taken the matter any further.I`m not disagreeing that the process may be more difficult for other people,but what I`m trying to say is that from our point of view it was possible and also for the approx 100 other Uk couples/families that were sponsored by the same firm over the 3 years that my husband worked for them.
chrizzy100
14-04-2004, 00:03
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Nicjmc
Chrizzy,I have to disagree.As I said previously,had I read this forum I would have thought it an impossibility to move to the states and therefore would not have taken the matter any further.I`m not disagreeing that the process may be more difficult for other people,but what I`m trying to say is that from our point of view it was possible and also for the approx 100 other Uk couples/families that were sponsored by the same firm over the 3 years that my husband worked for them.
[/quote]
But you have to remember Andy is in retail...now first off...could he get a job in England with your husbands company with his retail background...a job that would lead to a sponsership for the USA....??.. if not ...what shops in England have shops in the USA that will sponser him if he wants to take the same route you did.....then the next step is getting a job with that company... in his local area...he may not want to move his kids out of school to many times.....then will this job offer lead to a move to the States....if so...does he have the talents needed to get the USA job offer.....the ball keep rolling on if and buts....because it was an easy road for us....I don't want to give people the idea its going to be easy for everyone....not everyone is in the right job......right company....right city....what works for one person....may not work for others..and I see what you're saying about giving hope..I do try to put in a hopeful note....never say never.....:):):)
andybliss
14-04-2004, 01:54
hi nicjmc and thanks for your encoragement, while i value all of the advise that is coming in to this post i think it is important to see a light at the end of the tunnel, some hope that what you want to do more than anything at this time has a chance of sucsess.
equaly as important are the facts of how when if ect... overall a balance is acheived which gives hope whilst planting you firmly in reality.
Keep em coming boys and girls, as well as getting good advise and encoragement, ............. i enjoy this forum lark !
Andy
chrizzy100
14-04-2004, 02:11
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by andybliss
hi nicjmc and thanks for your encoragement, while i value all of the advise that is coming in to this post i think it is important to see a light at the end of the tunnel, some hope that what you want to do more than anything at this time has a chance of sucsess.
equaly as important are the facts of how when if ect... overall a balance is acheived which gives hope whilst planting you firmly in reality.
Keep em coming boys and girls, as well as getting good advise and encoragement, ............. i enjoy this forum lark !
Andy
[/quote]
I remember being told by some kind person how easier it would be for us to move to Canada at one time......after year of trying to get there it was very upsetting having to drop the idea.......we were told we'd never get to the USA...and here we are.......but.......my husband has a job thats in great demand most of the time.......that makes a great difference......its a pity we don't have more people here that made it after trying for a long time...with only a little hope...their input would be very welcome.......
andybliss
15-04-2004, 03:10
Hi All,
I have another question, from some people i have spoken to they say that once you have been in the country for 5 years you can apply to become an american citizen, surely that would then make you a part of the usa and afford you the same rights to work ect as us nationals?
Andy
You can apply for citizenship five years after getting a green card not five years after enetering the US. It can take four years to get the green card.
Getting a job with a UK company specifically because they have a record of sending people to the US and then being one of those selected a shrt time later, well yes some people are lucky. No one on here is telling people it is impossible to get here, I did it and am here, what we are saying is it isnt easy and it isnt. Especially for those without specialist skills. Not everyone can get a job with the sort fo company you mention, not everyone is in requuired occupation. I would say Andy could go and work with UK WalMart but with little chance of beinh transferred out to run a WalMart here because to be frabk they have enough WalMart managers of their own.
Andy, living here is a lot more difficult than it looks. Land of the free it isnt, they are strangled with bureaucracy here to the extent that you sometimes feel you are banging your head against a brick wall and want to scream. It is a standing joke here that you cannot go to the toilet without a license!! The expense of things like car insurance and health insurance are things you are unprepared for. I do think it is a healthier environment for kids, as Chrizzy said. Mine has settled down and totally enjoyed his experience of high school.
Be prepared though for the long hours and short holidays ( where did Easter go? I didnt see any Easter, everyone was at work me included). There is no safety net here which makes you feel exposed. Seeing very old people working in supermarkets or propped up in toll booths is common. But you can afford a decent house here and the sunshine is nice. I didnt have a sniffle all winter this year.
andybliss
15-04-2004, 18:55
Also, i've heard a lot about no being able to transfer your credit rating from uk to usa and having to start again, for me this is one of the appeals as i have some indescresions i wish to leave behind, how would i go about building a new rating in the states, would it be a good idea to open a bank acc b4 i go there and maybe take out an american credit card ?
Your help and advise would be welcomed as usual,
Thanks.
Andy
chrizzy100
15-04-2004, 22:19
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by andybliss
Also, i've heard a lot about no being able to transfer your credit rating from uk to usa and having to start again, for me this is one of the appeals as i have some indescresions i wish to leave behind, how would i go about building a new rating in the states, would it be a good idea to open a bank acc b4 i go there and maybe take out an american credit card ?
Your help and advise would be welcomed as usual,
Thanks.
Andy
[/quote]
We transfered one of our English credit cards to an American one straight away because it was with an American company in England anyway......I had all my statements for the USA bank.....showing that everything was paid up before I left England.......that got us a home loan in a few weeks...not months or years....you have to keep a clean credit rating in the USA.......your whole life can stop without it......and you can lose that good rating very quickly........
You seem to be able to get a US credit card easier after filing your taxes the first time......
We spent $20k in the first 2 months of living here...and we had lots of our stuff shipped over from the UK......
You need very deep pockets in the first few months......
andybliss
16-04-2004, 03:42
So, should i open a bank account now to kick start my credit reference ?
Spose it cant hurt, will give us somewhere to put out florida fighting fund and if all fails it would be a simple case of just closing the account.
You start with no credit rating. Having a US bank account does not help. I had had one for 7 years as a vacation home owner but registered against my ITIN. The credit reference agencies will be searching on your social security number when you are resident not against an international tax payer number so nothing you paid while in the UK helps you. We had a 780 on our ITINs which got me a mortgage on a home in celebration very easily. When we tried doing things with our social security numbers, we couldnt even get a mobile phone without a $250 deposit. The upshot is that I got a $200,000 mortgage with my ITIN but on my social security number we could only get a credit card with a $500 limit on provided we secured it by depositing $100 in a savings account in case we didnt pay it. This was with my own bank!!!! Nine months on, we are just starting to build up a rating. We have finally got a proper credit card with a decent limit. The only thing that has any bearing on your rating here is if you are a long standing AMEX customer with a high level card as it is possible for this to be transferred over.
Getmeoutoftheuk
16-04-2004, 11:36
andy,
Just to drop in on this one, I don't think you can open US account without a US address.
Getmeoutoftheuk
16-04-2004, 11:44
andy,
You may want to try this.
You will have to visit to open bank account in the area of your choosing..most will require a US address..
you can open an account with citibank http://www.citibank.com/uk/index.jspand also open a US dollar account with them and you will get US chqs from a New York bank..not good for small amounts but very good for large amounts..
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Just to drop in on this one, I don't think you can open US account without a US address.[/quote] We didn't provide our US bank with our US address as our Florida home has no mail facilities so our address at the bank is in the UK. However, this may have changed recently because of the Patriot Act in the US and any US bank will be able to let you know the current requirements.
the point over credit and deep pockets is a very valid one ..
weve been here since dec and we still cannot get a store card or any credit other than my mortgage and the car loan i took out thinking this will help me get a credit rating...
the bank says it will issue a credit card soon but its a good job we kept our uk cards running...
also be advised dont apply for loads of cards (or credit) in the first few months as this also works against you..
chrizzy100
16-04-2004, 17:33
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by jeffc
the point over credit and deep pockets is a very valid one ..
weve been here since dec and we still cannot get a store card or any credit other than my mortgage and the car loan i took out thinking this will help me get a credit rating...
the bank says it will issue a credit card soon but its a good job we kept our uk cards running...
also be advised dont apply for loads of cards (or credit) in the first few months as this also works against you..
[/quote]
I've heard the one about not having to many credit cards to soon....but we had about 10 or more to get a low interest rate straight away.....and the home loan company said a few years ago hes never seen anyone with such a high credit rating than us...so I now have no idea what is the best thing to do......my friends have been here for 4 years more then us and they have one credit card..because they heard it was better for your rating...they still pay 18% interest...we pay at most 5%.....a lot of the time 0%.......they also had trouble getting a new home loan......and we have two....even if one is very small.....
I think if I have to go one way....I'd say if you're not good with money...then stick with one or two....getting a bad credit rating in the USA is a never ending nightmare......
andybliss
17-04-2004, 01:32
When i was recently in orlando i changed some travellers cheques in mercantile bank, there i enquired about an account and told them i intended to move there but was currently a uk resident, they said it wasnt a problem, hopefully thats what they say when i contact them to open one !
andybliss
17-04-2004, 01:38
also, i think the point about applying for lots of c/cards being bad, ....... every time you apply they search your credit reference and if they turn you down its points against you, too many of them and your history ! but if you are accepted then it may be ok ?
Only my thoughts about what may happen and based in no way on fact ! lol
Andy
rkimball
17-04-2004, 05:25
Check out The Villages if you are over 55. I live there and you can get information at both of these sites. This is not an ad for this community as sells itself.
[website links edited]
andybliss
23-04-2004, 01:29
has anyone heard of the show Emigrate 2004 to be held in york this year, the leaflet says
"Emigrate 2004 is the world's biggest emigration fair. No other event brings together so many experts who can help you with different aspects of your emigration. There are migration consultants, legal and financial advisors, recruiters, business brokers, pension transfer experts, removal companies, pet movers and much much more. Many provincial state and federal governments also have stands at the show - giving you unique access to the officials who process your visa"
has anyone been to this show ? let me know your comments as to wether or not to travel 8 hours ?
Thanks,
Andy
andybliss
26-05-2004, 23:50
Hi again all,
I havent gone away but am busy building contacts and looking for jobs, if i get no joy i intend to come over for a week towards the end of the year to apply and canvas in person, does anyone have holiday homes in orlando i might rent and stay in while there ? please let me know with an approximate cost for one week in prob september.
Thanks,
Andy
Seminole
27-05-2004, 00:11
Andy, I certainly wouldn't tell US customs that you have come over "to apply and canvas in person" for a job. You are likely to immediately be put on the next UK bound flight. You need to get serious advice on L or H series visas. By the way, no US employer in their right mind would touch you otherwise because there are now substantial civil penalties in place for employing non-US citizens illegally. If you insist on canvassing for a job and talk to the "wrong person" you may end up being reported and deported. Please get some competent advice from a UK based consultant before embarking on any plans.
andybliss
27-05-2004, 01:00
Thanks for the tip, i was not talking about starting or working during that week but trying to convince in person an employer that i would be worth the trouble if they were to help me in obtaining a visa (sponser)
Andy
andybliss
27-05-2004, 01:04
"By the way, no US employer in their right mind would touch you otherwise because there are now substantial civil penalties in place for employing non-US citizens illegally. If you insist on canvassing for a job and talk to the "wrong person" you may end up being reported and deported"
Does this mean that no employer is allowed to talk to me with regard to employment ?
If so, i supose that would be the reason that i have had very few replys when applying for jobs in the USA ?
Andy
Seminole
27-05-2004, 03:02
I think someone else mentioned that there are many Americans out of work in your line of work so why would the US employer go to the time and expense of sponsoring you under an H series visa? It just doesn't make any financial sense to them. Seeking employment in US while on holiday is illegal under US law so if I were a US employer, I would be wary that you might be a federal agent attempting to see if I would break the law. You certainly should be very wary of a US citizen telling you that they will be happy to sponsor you as an "employee" but first they need, in cash, from you 25,000 pounds. Or perhaps higher.
As you are married and have children, please think very carefully about this. Sometimes the "get out of the UK" view blinds one to seeing everything else as it truly is. The other half of the equation is whether you will be happy wherever you end up and as you can see from other posts, Florida is not exactly the land of sun, good times and swaying palms for those visa holders who actually live in Florida. There are profound cultural differences that are masked by a common language. Health care insurance or other social services taken for granted in the UK are non-existent in Florida. I know of two English couples, with separate businesses, who've recently packed up and left Florida because, in part, they could not adjust to the intense summer heat, no one had any interest in football/"soccer" and so on. So you really must spend as much time learning about how Florida or Australia or wherever before you make that commitment.
chrizzy100
27-05-2004, 05:29
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Seminole
I think someone else mentioned that there are many Americans out of work in your line of work so why would the US employer go to the time and expense of sponsoring you under an H series visa? It just doesn't make any financial sense to them. Seeking employment in US while on holiday is illegal under US law so if I were a US employer, I would be wary that you might be a federal agent attempting to see if I would break the law. You certainly should be very wary of a US citizen telling you that they will be happy to sponsor you as an "employee" but first they need, in cash, from you 25,000 pounds. Or perhaps higher.
As you are married and have children, please think very carefully about this. Sometimes the "get out of the UK" view blinds one to seeing everything else as it truly is. The other half of the equation is whether you will be happy wherever you end up and as you can see from other posts, Florida is not exactly the land of sun, good times and swaying palms for those visa holders who actually live in Florida. There are profound cultural differences that are masked by a common language. Health care insurance or other social services taken for granted in the UK are non-existent in Florida. I know of two English couples, with separate businesses, who've recently packed up and left Florida because, in part, they could not adjust to the intense summer heat, no one had any interest in football/"soccer" and so on. So you really must spend as much time learning about how Florida or Australia or wherever before you make that commitment.
[/quote]
Moving to a more English part of the US is a nice start......New England is beauiful.....its weather is very much like Englands....the people are great.....one of the first things I noticed when coming home to MA from FL this week (apart from the cold ) were the green trees......green everywhere......its very much like Cornwall but with wooden houses.....I'm not sure we would of stayed in the US if we'd moved down to FL straight off.....but now after setting up our house there......and not wanting to leave it......I'm sure we'll be happy down there in the future......I find the heat in FL OK.....it gets very very hot sometimes here in the summer...and very very humid......my husband was not so sure he hates the sun...but coming home to a cold spring is making him think twice...we are going to spend a few summers in FL before the big move......and treat the hot summer....like we would the cold winters here.....and stay indoors.....making more of spring ..fall....and winter....
We would never have what we have now if we'd stayed in the UK.....but you really have to study your reasons for leaving England behind......because sometimes you'll end up with the same troubles here......
Hi i would dearly love to live in Florida, just wondered if there is any scope for nurses? once i have qualified of course:)
andybliss
27-05-2004, 17:14
our reasons for leaving the uk are sound as is our determination to do so, we have been advised of all the things to be careful of and how it can be expensive for insurance and healthcare and still we are determined, my only concern is now to provide for my family, ie a job ! thats the next obsticale to overcome, and if the emigration laywers can find a loophole and get me in for £4500 then i am determined to find it and do it myself, in the meantime i will continue to do all i can with what i have, and who knows, i may even surprise a few ppl, myself included !
As always a pleasure to hear from you all, any thoughts on where i might stay if i come over ? if so let me know prices and availability,
Thanks,
Andy
chrizzy100
27-05-2004, 18:47
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by triciax
Hi i would dearly love to live in Florida, just wondered if there is any scope for nurses? once i have qualified of course:)
[/quote]
If you are training as a general nurse in the UK then you can take the nurses exams for the US...I'm told 25% of nurses from other countries pass...if you are say just a childs nurse....like my friend is....she is now doing 3 years retraining.......and could not get a job in a hospital over here....she had a greencard through her husband.....so that was not a worry......nurses are needed so I'd really look into it......:D
Seminole
27-05-2004, 18:59
Andy, there is no "loophole". Since you are not a treaty investor or a L series transfer, it would seem the only conceivable basis would be H classification. Don't pay any money to anyone "up front" who is telling you about "loopholes".
Hi There
It is murder to get to the States, I have to agree with everything you are saying, my wife has worked for the Bank of America here in london, for 20 years, she has a wealth of experience in numerious departments, of course when we thought of moving across, it would be a simple L1 transfer, no chance, even as a senior employee, they said to her she had to resign here and try again in America, they are just not interested, and she would heve to compete with americans for the job, so it figures she does'nt have a chance, another friend of ours also knows a high ranking government official, he even sent me the 38 pages of forms, to fill in, he said he would sponsor us, but again, its not true, it has to be close family, he was under the impression, that because my wife had given twenty years to a US corporation, she could retire out there, again completely wrong, so dont beleive anyone who talks loopholes, they do not exist, and US immigration has A mind of its own.
ALan
chrizzy100
27-05-2004, 20:45
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by agod
Hi There
It is murder to get to the States, I have to agree with everything you are saying, my wife has worked for the Bank of America here in london, for 20 years, she has a wealth of experience in numerious departments, of course when we thought of moving across, it would be a simple L1 transfer, no chance, even as a senior employee, they said to her she had to resign here and try again in America, they are just not interested, and she would heve to compete with americans for the job, so it figures she does'nt have a chance, another friend of ours also knows a high ranking government official, he even sent me the 38 pages of forms, to fill in, he said he would sponsor us, but again, its not true, it has to be close family, he was under the impression, that because my wife had given twenty years to a US corporation, she could retire out there, again completely wrong, so dont beleive anyone who talks loopholes, they do not exist, and US immigration has A mind of its own.
ALan
[/quote]
I know I would never have come over if I'd known that on the H1B visa we had only 10 days to leave the country if my husband lost his job over here.......and we saw that happen a few time....some people were given 3 months if a lot of people lost their jobs at the same time......but 10 days to pack up and leave is a nightmare.....we really should of looked into that more.....but getting a job and being able to move here.....stops you thinking about what ifs......we had our greencards by the time my husbands job went......and he was taken back after 5 days when the company was brought back ....but those few weeks of not knowing were hell on earth......
Seminole
27-05-2004, 23:37
"US immigration has a mind of its own". That is completely true Alan and, as you know, no sense of humor. I am aware of another case in Kissimmee of an English couple relocating under the belief that the husband could work while visa papers were being processed. US border patrol agents showed up at his house while his wife was at the mall, arrested him, took him to a detention center for deportation and no one bothered to leave a note or message for other family members. Wife returned and was frantic thinking an accident or kidnapping until the next day when she was informed what had happened. The Orlando/Winter Park office of the BCIS/Border Patrol has at least one agent who "specializes" in Brits who are out of visa status or illegally in Florida. Moral of the story is to please get good advice and to follow the letter of the law.
Its a fair old nightmare. Even when you get here, can you stay? Can your kids stay??? Loads of retrictions on what you can do. You are a non resident alien and that means you still officially live in the UK. Only a green card is any use. I am a visa holder so know what I am talking about. Everyone in the Brit community here hears visa horror stories every day, kids being sent back at 18 when they have been here since the age of 6, people getting stuck back in the UK on trying to change status, people deported. And it is a culture shock. I came here for 12 years as a holidaymaker but was unprepared by how hard the society is when you live here. It certainly isnt all " have a nice day".
Re the nursing. you need to do a conversion course. Takes about a year. Then you can apply straight for green card, no need for a visa of labour certication, one of the best routes.
chrizzy100
28-05-2004, 08:51
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by esprit
Its a fair old nightmare. Even when you get here, can you stay? Can your kids stay??? Loads of retrictions on what you can do. You are a non resident alien and that means you still officially live in the UK. Only a green card is any use. I am a visa holder so know what I am talking about. Everyone in the Brit community here hears visa horror stories every day, kids being sent back at 18 when they have been here since the age of 6, people getting stuck back in the UK on trying to change status, people deported. And it is a culture shock. I came here for 12 years as a holidaymaker but was unprepared by how hard the society is when you live here. It certainly isnt all " have a nice day".
Re the nursing. you need to do a conversion course. Takes about a year. Then you can apply straight for green card, no need for a visa of labour certication, one of the best routes.
[/quote]
I don't think my son could go back to England ....he is Amercian now.......and hes only been here just over 4 years......
If he were here on E2 and reached 18 and didnt get in college, he would have to Chrizzy, no choice in the matter. The poor kid I heard of would not be able to remember the UK even after that amount of time. Immigration are inflexible and dare I say unfeeling. You live with the sword of Damocles over your heads. We have homes here, belongings, cars, our kids become American, but we visa holders never know if we will get back in every time we leave. Getting stuck back in the UK with all you own still over here is not unheard of. This isnt as easy as it looks.
chrizzy100
28-05-2004, 21:15
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by esprit
If he were here on E2 and reached 18 and didnt get in college, he would have to Chrizzy, no choice in the matter. The poor kid I heard of would not be able to remember the UK even after that amount of time. Immigration are inflexible and dare I say unfeeling. You live with the sword of Damocles over your heads. We have homes here, belongings, cars, our kids become American, but we visa holders never know if we will get back in every time we leave. Getting stuck back in the UK with all you own still over here is not unheard of. This isnt as easy as it looks.
[/quote]
We had a few friends from Indian go home after living here for years.....they thought their jobs were safe......so never went for their greencards.......they were in the end given 3 months to leave....because the company did keep them on the pay roll for that time.......but they left without selling their home......and had to leave that to others.....our English friends were waiting for their cards to come when he lost his job....even with only weeks left before they were due to come.......had the company not had him on payroll..they would of sent them back to England.....I would not of put my kids through such a big move had I know we could be sent home so easy......it was silly not to get informed about EVERYTHING before moving.....but we live and learn........
E. Cosgrove
29-05-2004, 01:36
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by chrizzy100
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by triciax
Hi i would dearly love to live in Florida, just wondered if there is any scope for nurses? once i have qualified of course:)
[/quote]
If you are training as a general nurse in the UK then you can take the nurses exams for the US...I'm told 25% of nurses from other countries pass...if you are say just a childs nurse....like my friend is....she is now doing 3 years retraining.......and could not get a job in a hospital over here....she had a greencard through her husband.....so that was not a worry......nurses are needed so I'd really look into it......:D
[/quote]
What about midwive's Chrizzy? I've heard that thare are demands for more of us poor specimens, especially in Foida New York and TExas!!!
Liz:)
E. Cosgrove
29-05-2004, 01:39
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by E. Cosgrove
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by chrizzy100
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by triciax
Hi i would dearly love to live in Florida, just wondered if there is any scope for nurses? once i have qualified of course:)
[/quote]
If you are training as a general nurse in the UK then you can take the nurses exams for the US...I'm told 25% of nurses from other countries pass...if you are say just a childs nurse....like my friend is....she is now doing 3 years retraining.......and could not get a job in a hospital over here....she had a greencard through her husband.....so that was not a worry......nurses are needed so I'd really look into it......:D
[/quote]
What about midwive's Chrizzy? I've heard that thare are demands for more of us poor specimens, especially in Foida New York and TExas!!!
Liz:)
[/quote]
OOps I just created a new state....should of course read Florida, Sorry!!
chrizzy100
29-05-2004, 01:41
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by E. Cosgrove
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by chrizzy100
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by triciax
Hi i would dearly love to live in Florida, just wondered if there is any scope for nurses? once i have qualified of course:)
[/quote]
If you are training as a general nurse in the UK then you can take the nurses exams for the US...I'm told 25% of nurses from other countries pass...if you are say just a childs nurse....like my friend is....she is now doing 3 years retraining.......and could not get a job in a hospital over here....she had a greencard through her husband.....so that was not a worry......nurses are needed so I'd really look into it......:D
[/quote]
What about midwive's Chrizzy? I've heard that thare are demands for more of us poor specimens, especially in Foida New York and TExas!!!
Liz:)
[/quote]
That I don't know.....if you do a search for US visa forums.....you could find people to help you....:D
andybliss
06-06-2004, 22:17
oook, how bout this for encoraging news, i am being considered for a position with a distributor of modeling supplies, i have spoken to them on the phone and they will not rule me out just because i come with baggage (the need for a sponser), they have said they will contact me on wed .................
God, i hope this is the first day of the rest of my new life !
andybliss
06-06-2004, 22:21
BTW What is Illinois like?, the job may well be in Champaign.
Cold!!!!It is where all the snow birds come from in Winter. But you can use it to get your green card and then move south!
chrizzy100
07-06-2004, 03:27
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by andybliss
oook, how bout this for encoraging news, i am being considered for a position with a distributor of modeling supplies, i have spoken to them on the phone and they will not rule me out just because i come with baggage (the need for a sponser), they have said they will contact me on wed .................
God, i hope this is the first day of the rest of my new life !
[/quote]
Lets hope you get some good news......if not....keep trying.....[msnsmile2]
Seminole
07-06-2004, 23:02
Good to hear you've found a sponsor. Hopefully you'll get some good news this week. And, yes, keep trying.
andybliss
08-06-2004, 02:47
how long would it ber before i could apply for a green card ?
chrizzy100
08-06-2004, 02:56
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by andybliss
how long would it ber before i could apply for a green card ?
[/quote]
That would be up to what visa you're coming over on......and who is paying........
You usually have to wait until after renewal. Applying isnt relevamt anyway, they are taking three years to process. If your sponsorring job folds in that time, you are back to the drawing board.
andybliss
25-06-2004, 20:45
Hello all, back again !
Well the first glimmer of hope i had has proven to be a dead end, but, undetered i am currently in touch with 3 more which at the moment all sound promising so once again i cross my fingers ............... and wait !
Hope you are all well and one day i WILL post some good news on this forum ! lol
Andy
chrizzy100
25-06-2004, 21:32
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by andybliss
Hello all, back again !
Well the first glimmer of hope i had has proven to be a dead end, but, undetered i am currently in touch with 3 more which at the moment all sound promising so once again i cross my fingers ............... and wait !
Hope you are all well and one day i WILL post some good news on this forum ! lol
Andy
[/quote]
It is a waiting game Andy......if its out there for you....I'm sure you'll find it......being able to find leads is a great start.......:D:D
andybliss
25-06-2004, 21:52
Thks chrizzy, one things for sure, "no retreat, no surrender" lol
Could you poss dm me some of those links for forums you refered to on another page pleaseeeeeeee xx
chrizzy100
25-06-2004, 21:55
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by andybliss
Thks chrizzy, one things for sure, "no retreat, no surrender" lol
Could you poss dm me some of those links for forums you refered to on another page pleaseeeeeeee xx
[/quote]
Ok..I will.....I did mean to send them to you by yahoo messenger....but then it goes out my head....old age catching up.......[msncry][msncry]
I'll use yahoo....then I know you have them.......[msnsmile2]
andybliss
02-07-2004, 00:30
wow, things have moved on a little and i need to ask more questions, (sorry !)
i have been offered a buisness to buy which does get me a visa, but if the buisness were going badly would i be able to apply for employment at another company and having got another job, close the buisness or would i have to apply for a different visa ?????
andybliss
02-07-2004, 00:34
also, i am cosidering setting up a buisness teaching people to fly radio controlled models, this would require a very low set up amount of money, would this still qualify me for a VISA ??????
To answer the first question, your visa would be dependent on the business remaining trading - as soon as it stops trading then you're no longer entitled to stay unless you can successfuly change your status to another visa prior to the business ceasing trading.
One of the E2 visa criteria is that the set up cost has to be a 'substantial investment' which normally means $100k or more. It also has to pay you a salary (or owner benefit) of around $50 - $70k per year.
Blott is correct. Your business needs to keep trading. The way it works is you have a holding company and you buy your business through that. Your holding company has to trade. moreover along the lines of what was put on your visa, That is not to say you cant expand into other areas provided they are within the ambit of your visa, Many man cos will expand into realty or into furniture packs. My visa was for cleaning but as I already intended to manage a few homes as well, my attorney put that on also.
You not only need to make a substantial investment if we are talking about E2 but also employ at least one American/green card holder. It doesnt always have to be the $100,000, I have known people get away with less, but a lower amount of set up money makes it more difficult. A low amount of set up money is unlikely to qualify.
andybliss
04-07-2004, 22:47
ok, now i spose this is a bit naughty and out of the question, but how do they know just how much you invest in the buisness, do they check your accounts or your irs records ?
also, when i employ someone in the USA does it work the same as employing a self employed person in the uk ? ie pay them and they sort thier own tax out or is it more like here ???? am not sure as i know in the states a person files a tax return even if they are employed ?
Thanks for all the help, it may get a little more technical if i intend to open a buisness.
Andy
Well in my case I had to have it as I had to send it out to an escrow attorney and his receipt went in with my visa application.
You need at least one employed person. Employed means that, you pay their taxes for them. A subcontractor, on 1099 may count ( ie you pay them gross and they pay their own taxes) but I am guessing it makes life more difficult.
andybliss
06-07-2004, 01:59
Hi again
It looks it may be a possibility to purchase a shop or a part ownership in it, would my investment be recognised by imigration if i bought into an existing buisness and became a PARTNER with the existing american owner ????
andybliss
06-07-2004, 02:01
Also, if i can afford to buy the buisness outright can anyone recomend somewherei might enquire about renting a home while the buisness builds ?
This forum is attached to ahome rental site, Andy. There are 100s of rental homes on here.
The partnsership question is an interesting one and one which you need to address to an immigration attorney. Try lesley Sillito at www.investorvisausa.com. Off the top of my head, I think it would need to be a big business because you would need to produce the required owner benefit of $60,000-70.000 pa on just 50% of it which would mean it would need to be producing a profit of %120,000-140,000 pa.
andybliss
12-08-2004, 03:16
Still around in the uk :( still plugging but not giving up yet, will stay in touch.
Andy
andybliss
15-08-2004, 05:29
Hope you are all ok after the 13th, wishing all luck and good fortune without too many losses.
Keeping my fingers crossed for you all
Andy
Scotborder
16-08-2004, 02:29
Hi Andy, we also wish good luck. 'hope everything goes well with you. Keep us inform how you are getting on.
My husband also looking at possibility of getting employment in Florida, so we are interested on your progress.
Maria
andybliss
10-03-2005, 20:07
Hi All, still in jolly england, we are still considering our options and looking into different ways of acheiving our goal.
Hope all of the ppl here are well and enjoying the sunshine or the chance of it as we still are.
I am aware of the main site's rental of holiday homes but does anyone know where i might find some more long term properties to rent while my family and i establish ourselves in our new country and sort out finances and mortages ?
Any help would be apreciated, thanks, Andy
Liam_Sandie
10-03-2005, 20:42
Hi Andy
www.rentclicks.com
Try this link, it is for long-term rentals in residential areas...
Hope it helps...Good Luck!!
chrizzy100
10-03-2005, 21:16
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Liam_Sandie
Hi Andy
www.rentclicks.com
Try this link, it is for long-term rentals in residential areas...
Hope it helps...Good Luck!!
[/quote]
That is a handy link......my daughter is looking for a place of her own near Orlando.....I'll show her that tonight.......
chunkichik
14-03-2005, 21:07
Hi Andy,
you certainly sound determined to me!!
My husband was sponsored by a Hyundai dealership in 1989, I met him in 1990 and after it became clear we were going to stay together, we enquired about my travelling with him, at that time I could have gone with him either as his wife or with a large sum of money to support myself, suffice to say, we are now married!!
The job was for a car mechanic!! which were of very short supply in the US, and after interviews at the embassy etc. we eventually faced the reality we could not leave our families. There were a group of 10 people sponsored and out of three families that moved over there, two of them were stuck without the funds to return home, it turned out that unlike in this country, if there was no work coming into the garage, the mechanics didnt get paid!!
We lost touch with the families, but would like to think it had a happy ending.
Good luck to you, I hope you get the outcome you are looking for and think everyone has given you plenty of sound advice[msnsmile2]
andybliss
03-05-2005, 00:15
[msncry] Hi All, this may be one of my last posts on here, with a buisness to buy and having found out all we need to make it work, ........ we finaly decided not to do it !
At the death, the deciding factor was the kids, funny how one of the reasons we wanted it was to give them a better chance in life and turned out they were the reason we decided against!?
We felt it unfair to expect our 12 year old daughter to qualify in her own right in just 9 years and felt it may put pressure on her to marry quickly.
Anyway, thanks for all the help and advise over the past year or so, if anyone fancys doing the move, they could do worse than read this thread, it contains soo much info and all given freely.
"REACH FOR THE STARS AND FULFILL YOUR DREAMS"
Andy [msnwink]
As someone who moved here with a 17 year old who has barely 18 months left now on an E2 dependants visa, I can empathise with your desire to protect your child from an untenable situation. Something just has to be done about the position of E2 children,good people are being lost to the USA because of it, lobbying is going on but we dont have much pull.